Oxford united FC
Oxford United Peart-Harris injury update before Saints trip
Peart-Harris missed out in the draw with Charlton Athletic after picking up a knock in the 1-0 win over Blackburn three days before.
Since joining from Brentford in January, the 23-year-old has been a mainstay in the United team who are currently unbeaten in four games.
“He had a bit of a knock, an issue with his back,” Yellows boss Bloomfield confirmed.
“We’ve had him back out on the grass in the last couple of days so he’s getting closer.”
Oxford travel to Southampton for the first time since 1996, with the Saints relegated from the Premier League last season.
After beginning the campaign poorly under Will Still, head coach Tonda Eckert has transformed their fortunes and they now find themselves on a 13-game unbeaten run and destined for the play-offs.
READ MORE: Oxford United defender Helik makes Premier League remark
“They are a very, very good team,” Bloomfield
“One of, if not the, in-form team in the league. It’s going to be a very stern test for us.
“Obviously, they’ve got some fantastic players, lots that have played in the Premier League, recruited for millions and very well coached.
“We know we’re up against a very tough team tomorrow so we’re going to have to be at our best if we’re going to take something from the game.
“[Eckert] has done an incredible job, a fantastic job. They’ve got such an elite group of players for this league, and he’s done a fantastic job.
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“We know that we’re going to have to be at the top of our game tomorrow and we absolutely believe that when we are at the top of our game that we can put on a good show.
“Tactically, we need to be astute tomorrow because of the opposition we’re facing,” the U’s boss continued.
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“We need to make sure we’re aware of them, but not too side-tracked by that.
“These away games have been good days for us so far and we want to add another one tomorrow.
“We know it’s going to be an extremely tough game for us tomorrow and we’re not getting carried away with what we’ve done away from home.
“We have to get back to zero and make sure we build a performance.”
The U’s have performed well when faced with trips away to club seemed as ‘bigger’ opposition.
A win at another recently-relegated side in Leicester City stands out as a highlight during Bloomfield’s tenure so far, and the hope will be that Oxford can muster a similar performance on Saturday afternoon.
The U’s centre back has been key in a side that has won its last three games, with Brown getting on the scoresheet in their 3-1 win away at Preston North End last week.
Their most recent victory saw them beat Blackburn Rovers 1-0 in an impressive home display.
“I think maybe the penny has dropped and some things are starting to click and got the ideas across that we need to do better performance-wise but also need to do better results-wise,” Brown said ahead of United’s next game against Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
“I think a lot of the season, we’ve probably been a bit too inconsistent where we haven’t put runs together, haven’t put back-to-back wins together which has ultimately put us in this position.
“Over the last month or few weeks, before we put this string of wins together, it did feel sometimes a bit unfortunate. It felt like we were just on that line of putting wins together.
“I think we’ve all come together and…it’s clicked.
“A big part of last season was the defenders chipping in with goals and maybe we haven’t done that as much this year as we would’ve liked.
“But to get clean sheets and chip in with a few goals is always nice.”
Oxford are fighting for survival in their second season in the Championship after avoiding relegation in the previous campaign.
READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield dedicates Oxford United win to Amelia Aplin
A lot has changed since then, with Matt Bloomfield now in charge and plenty of new players arriving in OX4, eight in the January transfer window alone.
“I think a lot of people are going back to last year, but I do think our squad is massively different” admitted the 28-year-old.
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“Whether that’s some of the boys from previous years stepping up and helping [the new players] through that process.
“It’s a totally different season and there are different obstacles thrown at you, but I think maybe the experience of last year can hopefully play a part this year and have the same outcome.”
The Yellows face a Charlton side this weekend who have won two in a row, with a shock 1-0 win away at second-placed Middlesbrough last time out.
READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield’s full thoughts after Oxford beat Blackburn
The Addicks looked as if they would be involved the relegation scrap but have now pulled away from the pack and look likely to survive.
“I think they’ve done really well this season, especially getting promoted last season and then first season in the Championship this year; I think they’ve done unbelievably.
“Whether they’re out of it or in it, who knows? But I think they’ve put themselves in a great place to stay up.”
Oxford United host Charlton Athletic as they look to win their fourth Championship game in a row.
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Cameron Brannagan dispatched the U’s first spot kick since returning to the second tier after Will Lankshear was fouled in the box.
It was late heartbreak though for Matt Bloomfield’s men, Ciaron Brown giving away a 91st-minute penalty which Charlie Kelman slotted away for the Addicks.
A drab first half saw just one shot come in from either side, Jamie Donley putting a free kick from the edge of the box just over the crossbar.
Aidomo Emakhu found an path through to goal earlier on when Lankshear headed the ball centrally and into his path, but the Irish winger was shrugged off the ball by the retreating Harry Clarke.
Charlton held 60 per cent of the possession in the first period but the Yellows held their own, limiting the visitors to very little openings as they failed to manage a shot.
Lankshear held the ball up well when receiving long passes, but did not have quite enough support to find them near him in space.
The second period provided slightly more promise, Michal Helik flicking over the bar from close range.
The unthinkable happened in the 57th minute when Oxford were awarded their first penalty in 675 days.
Lankshear was impeded as Sam Long crossed in, with the referee giving the U’s a penalty for the first time since the League One play-off semi-final second leg against Peterborough United in May 2024.
Brannagan stepped up to take it and slotted it neatly into the bottom left corner to put United ahead.
The U’s almost doubled their lead moments later when Lankshear chipped the keeper, but Lloyd Jones came across to clear off the line.
Charlton began to pick up then, Tyreece Campbell firing a low shot at goal but seeing it blocked.
Still, Oxford tried to hit on the break, Przemyslaw Placheta fizzing a vicious ball across goal which no one was there to meet.
READ MORE: Oxford United boss and captain pay tribute to Amelia Aplin
As the Addicks began to float numerous balls into the box, they won a late penalty when Ciaron Brown grabbed the shirt of Jones who hit the deck.
Kelman stepped up to slot home, scoring after coming off the bench as he did in December’s reverse fixture.
READ MORE: Oxford United striker snubbed Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town
The draw brings Oxford’s winning streak to end but maintains an unbeaten run of four Championship fixtures.
Oxford: Cumming, Long, Helik, Brown, Currie, Konak (McDonnell 65), Brannagan, Mills (Vaulks 84), Donley (Spencer 77), Emakhu (Placheta 65), Lankshear (Prelec 77)
Charlton: Mannion, Ramsay (Kelman 60), Jones, Bell, Clarke, Docherty (Fullah 82), Coventry (Fevrier 68), Chambers (Rankin-Costello 82), Carey, Campbell, Leaburn
Bookings: Helik, Mills, Brown; Chambers, Clarke, Bell, Rankin-Costello
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